The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-07
EvELINA'S FLIGHT.
An Episode in the Great Smoky Noun
aina


Charles EgbCr craddocks story in IIarpers for De
cembcr.
II had been q hard winter along the
slopes Of the great Smoky mountains, and
still the towering treeless dome was COW
cred with snow and the vagant winds
were abroad, iioting among the cliity
nights where they held their tryst or raid
ing down into the sheltered depths Of tho
cove, whittier they seldom intruded.
Nevertheless, on this turbulent rush was
borne the fair spring OF the year. The fra
GRANGE Of the budding wild cherry was to
be disccrncd amidst the keen, slanting
jayelns in the ruin. A cogniton Of the
renewal and expandingof the forces Of nat
urc pervading the senses rs distinctly rs
II one might hear the grass growing, or
feel along the chill currents Of the air the
vernal pulses thrill. Night after night In
the riffs OF the breaking clouds close 10 the
horizon was glimpsed the stately siderll
Virgo, prehguiing and promising tho har-
vest, holding in her hand n cleaning ear
OF corn. But IL was not the constellation
which the tumultuous torrent at the
mountains base reflected in q starry gilt
ter. From the hillside above, light cast
its broken image among the ripplcs, rs IL
shone for an instant through the bosky
laurel, white, stellular, splendid-only a
tallow dip suddenly placed In the window
Of log cabin, and us suddenly Withdrawn.
For gruff voice within growled out
remonstnnce: "What We be dom that
fur, steye2 IIev that thar candle got
emmy call ter bide IN that thar Window
The interior, contrary 10 the customary
aspect OF the humble homes OF the sec
ton, was in great disaray. Cooking uten-
sils stood unclaimed upon the hearth
dishes and bowels OF earthenware were
assembled upon the table in such num-
hers as 10 suggest that several meals had
been eaten without the ceremony Of lay
ing the cloth anew, and in default Of
washing the orockery II had been cin-
forced from the shelf 10 far rs the limited
store might admit Saddles and spinning
wheels, an OK yoke and trace chains, reels
and wash tubs, were anonymously pushed
together in the corners. Only one Of the
three men In the room made any effort 10
reduce the confusion 10 order. This was
the square faced, black bearded, thick sct
young fellow, who took the candle from
the window, and now advanced with Il
toward the hearth, holding il at M angle
that caused the fame 10 swiftly melt the
tallow, which dropped generously upon
the floor.
81 hey seen Eyeliny do IT," he said OK.
citedly, justiiying himself. ~ noticed her
sot the candle In the win1cr jes' las night
artcr supper" lie glanced about uncer-
tainly, aud patience seemed 10 give way
suddenly. dad burn the old candle |
dun know where 10 set II, lac cried. dcs-
peratcly, and he flung Il from him, aud IL
Tell upon the door close 20 the wall
The dogs lifted their heads TO look, and
one soit-stcpping old hound got up with
the nimblencss Of expectation, and, with n
president gratitude astir in his tail, went
and muifcd at Il. His aspect dropped
suddenly, and he looked around In re-
proach at stephen Quimbey, as II sus-
pccting practical Joke. But there WIS
no merrimcnt in the young mounianeer's
face. lie threw himself into his chair
with heavy sigh, and dcsistcd for time
from the unaccustomcd duty Of cleaning
away the dishes after supper.
"An' 'ain't We got the gumpiion ter
sense what Eyeliny sot the candle In the
winder fur2" his brother Timothy de.
manded abruptly--'ez sign 10 that
thar burned Abs'lom Kiitrcdgc."
The other two men lifted their heads
aud looked at the speaker with poignant
intensity Of interest.
IL lowed ca much when ] seen that
light ca war a-kemmin' home las night"
nc continued; III shined spang down the
slope acrost the ruyer an through all the
laurel; II looked plumb like star that he'd
fell ter ycarth In that pitch black night. I
dun know how | s'picioncd Il, but "a I
stood thar an gazcd | knowed somebody
war a-standln' an gain too ON the foot
bridge mite ahead o. me. I couldn't see
him. an he couldn't turn back an pass
me, the bridge bcin' too narrcr lie was
les obligated ter 20 ON. | hearn him
breathe quick; then-pit-pai pii.pat, eE
he walked straight toward that light An |
he be 'bleegcd ter hev hearn me, fur artor
l croet ! stopped. Nuthin'. Jes' vhis.
per o wind, an jes' swishin' from the |